For what it's worth, I've had a decent career as a self-taught programmer. Over the years, I've absorbed most of a Cs education in the following way: Whenever

For what it's worth, I've had a decent career as a self-taught programmer. Over the years, I've absorbed most of a Cs education in the following way: Whenever I approach a new problem that I don't understand, I take the time to read up on the principles and original work that led to the standard approach to that problem. If the papers reference something I don't understand, I look that up, and so on. I was doing this before the internet became a useful resource (lots of Library time). it's become much easier now. It also helps to have a mentor or two who understand the area you're interested in, and who don't mind you taking their time with endless questions.